General Manager - Starbucks

About Tailwind Hospitality

Tailwind Hospitality, Inc. is a premier full-service airport concessionaire headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 2004, Tailwind specializes in developing, managing, and operating food, beverage, and retail concepts across airports and transit hubs nationwide.

Our teams serve travelers every day, creating memorable experiences in some of the most dynamic hospitality environments in the country.

At Tailwind, we believe great operations start with great people. We give our leaders the opportunity to take ownership, develop their teams, and build businesses they can be proud of.

About the Role

As the General Manager of Starbucks at PWM , you will have ownership of the store’s daily operations, team leadership, financial performance, and guest experience.

You will serve as the main keyholder , taking responsibility for opening and closing the location and ensuring the store is fully prepared to deliver a consistently excellent Starbucks experience.

This role is ideal for a hospitality professional who is comfortable being visible and hands-on. You’ll spend significant time on the floor, working alongside your team, coaching employees, solving problems, and ensuring guests receive friendly, efficient service.

You will be responsible for:

Leading the daily operation of the Starbucks location from open through close

Serving as the primary keyholder , including opening and closing the store

Building, coaching, and developing a high-performing team

Creating a positive, accountable, and service-focused work environment

Delivering an exceptional guest experience in a fast-paced airport environment

Managing labor, payroll, scheduling, and staffing levels to meet business needs

Using forecasting and scheduling tools to optimize labor and maximize efficiency

Managing food, beverage, and operating costs while maintaining quality standards

Monitoring sales, expenses, and overall financial performance

Identifying opportunities to improve sales, profitability, productivity, and guest satisfaction

Ensuring the location consistently meets company, Starbucks, food safety, sanitation, and operational standards

Maintaining a clean, organized, safe, and welcoming environment for both guests and employees

Managing inventory, supplies, ordering, and vendor relationships

Ensuring equipment is properly maintained and operational

Addressing guest and employee concerns professionally and effectively

Communicating business priorities, expectations, and performance goals to the team

Conducting regular team meetings, coaching conversations, and performance follow-up

Partnering with Tailwind leadership and airport stakeholders to support overall business objectives

Maintaining compliance with airport security, safety, and operating requirements

Protecting company assets and maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary information

Stepping in wherever needed to support the team and keep the operation running smoothly

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a hands-on hospitality leader who understands that successful operations are built on people, consistency, and execution.

The ideal candidate has:

2–5 years of General Manager or comparable restaurant/hospitality management experience

Strong food and beverage or restaurant management experience

Previous experience opening and closing a restaurant, retail, or hospitality location

Experience serving as a keyholder or having primary responsibility for the security and operation of a location

Experience managing labor, scheduling, food costs, and operating expenses

A demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams

Strong financial and P&L management skills

A track record of improving operational performance and profitability

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

The ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-oriented in a high-volume environment

A strong sense of ownership and accountability

A genuine passion for hospitality and taking care of guests

Why This Role?

Lead. Own. Grow.

As the General Manager, you’ll have a direct impact on the success of one of Tailwind’s airport locations. You’ll have the opportunity to build a strong team, improve operations, drive financial performance, and create an experience that travelers remember.

Airport hospitality moves quickly, and no two days are exactly alike. From the first guest of the morning to the final close of the night, you’ll be at the center of the operation.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your hospitality career and lead a high-energy Starbucks location in one of Maine’s busiest travel environments, we want to hear from you.

Qualifications & Requirements

2–5 years of General Manager, Restaurant Manager, or comparable hospitality leadership experience

Food and beverage, restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume retail management experience

Demonstrated experience opening and closing business locations

Keyholder experience strongly preferred

ServSafe certification preferred/required

Food Handler certification preferred/required

Must be able to pass a background check and meet applicable airport security requirements

Must have reliable transportation

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by airport operations

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $60,000 – $70,000

Tailwind offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Paid Time Off

Paid Training

Management Bonus Program

401(k) with Company Matching

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Our Mission & Philosophy

At Tailwind Hospitality, we believe the journey should be just as good as the destination.

Our goal is to bring warm, welcoming hospitality to travelers through great food, thoughtful service, and memorable experiences. Whether a guest has time to relax with a coffee before a flight or needs to grab something quickly on the way to their gate, our teams are there to make the experience better.

We understand that airport hospitality requires flexibility, energy, and an unwavering commitment to service. Our leaders play a critical role in bringing that philosophy to life every day.

Tailwind Hospitality encourages Veterans and Military family members to apply.

Tailwind Concessions is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact our Human Resources department.